Going to Italy is a trip no one should ever take for granted. It has felt like an unrealistic dream and somehow, it still exceeded every expectation. Every place we went was unique in their own ways.
These were the five places that stood out the most to us and what made each one actually special.
Cinque Terre:
Cinque Terre almost doesn’t look real in person. It is even better than expected. The colors, the cliffs, the ocean, it was so beautiful and looks exactly like the watercolor postcards that are sold everywhere.
One of our favorite parts was that we took the train to every single village, which made everything so easy and honestly kind of fun. You’d be in one village, hop on the train for a few minutes, and suddenly you’re somewhere that looks completely different.
Our favorite villages were Monterosso and Vernazza. Monterosso is the biggest village. It was more chill and beachy, somewhere you could actually relax. Vernazza was just really pretty, like the one you picture when you think of Cinque Terre with all the colorful buildings right on the water. It is the most photogentic village.
What we loved most:
- Every village had its own personality
- The views were insane no matter where you stood
- The train made it feel like a mini adventure
Takeaway: Cinque Terre is one of those places that looks just as good, if not better, in real life, and exploring it by train makes the whole experience even better. You can see all 5 villages in just a day trip. We did it in a weekend, but 3 days are not needed.
Verona
Verona feels and looks like a very romantic, little city.
We went to see Juliet’s balcony from Romeo and Juliet, which is obviously touristy, but still so worth it. After that, we walked through the gardens, and that was honestly our favorite part. It was so peaceful and pretty. The views were amazing and you were able to overlook the city.
What stood out:
- The whole city has a romantic feel
- The gardens were such a nice getaway with insane views
- It felt more calm and condensed compared to other cities
Takeaway: Verona is perfect if you want something quieter and more romantic. It feels personal, not overwhelming.
Siena
Siena may be smaller, but the Duomo instantly stands out.
We knew it was supposed to be pretty, but seeing it in person was different. The duomo was so detailed and unique compared to other churches.
What we noticed:
- The black and white marble is so different from anything else we have seen
- Every inch of it the outside has detail, as shown in the images
- The whole city feels very historic
Takeaway: Siena proves that even a smaller city can have one of the most perfect landmarks in Italy.
Venice:
Venice is an amazing experience and is different from other cities we have visited for one main reason.
No cars, just boats. Tiny streets, bridges everywhere, water instead of roads.
People use the water as their path to get place to place. And yes, we did the gondola ride, and it was 100% worth it.
What made it special:
- The gondola ride is such a cool experience, with beautiful views of the Venice lifestyle
- The whole city layout is so unique
Takeaway: Venice isn’t just a place you visit, it’s something you experience, and it’s 100% worth seeing at least once.
Florence
Saving the best for last. Florence was our favorite, and it’s not even close.
There’s just something about it that feels different from everywhere else. The people are so nice and the city is beautiful. We are so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to call Florence our home. There’s so much to do, and so many hidden gems. There are so many museums or must see landmarks to go to. Our favorites are Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and much more.
We found our favorite restaurant there too:
👉 La Giostra
It was one of those places that feels special the second you walk in. Brad Pitt proposed to Jennifer Aniston there, which made it very popular. The food and drinks were amazing. The owner and staff were so kind.
We found our favorite bar:
👉Reverse
Reverse made Florence immediatly feel like home. We made so many new friends, and built our own little community within the place. Every night there, we have created new memories that will last a lifetime. We are so grateful for the lifelong stories we have to tell.
Why we loved Florence:
- The people were genuinely so kind
- The food was amazing
- The bars and clubs were so fun
- There was something new to explore everyday
Takeaway: Florence just has a feeling you can’t really explain it. Let’s just say there’s a reason its everyone’s favorite.
Written by Rachel Block, Courtney Arpa , Ava O’keeffe